3.78 AVERAGE


I really enjoyed this one! It was a combination of Hades ×Persephone and Sleeping Beauty retelling. The magic system was unique. The dreams was a fun way to tell their story and connect them. Tarian is a mafia and it has always been said that he and his family may be Gods and have magic. They are very quiet and keep to themselves. However, Calanthe, a florist meets Tarian when her best friend sister hires her to do a job. His attraction to her is instant and his magic takes over. The suspense in this was so good. The betrayals had me screaming. And him not only being mafia but also a divine...well let's just say his punishments were on par. 😳 Such an interesting read. Definitely ready for his cousin's book. 
emotional mysterious

I was utterly captivated by this enthralling retelling that blends Hades & Persephone with Sleeping Beauty. Zion Hadestine, a formidable mob boss with rumored divine attributes, and Calanthe Bloom, a young florist shouldering her family's burdens, become entwined in a tale that transcends the ordinary. Their unexpected connection, revealed through shared dreams, blurs the lines between the fantastical and the real. The story weaves a dark, twisty path through themes of power, love, and fate, offering a fresh and spicy take on timeless myths. This story masterfully combines suspense, romance, and a touch of the supernatural, making it an unforgettable journey. I eagerly await more explorations into this intriguing and beautifully crafted world.
adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Loveable characters: Yes

This book!! Truly, I’m speechless at how creative it was. My Dark Beast is a sleeping beauty retelling; however, it is unlike anything I’ve ever read. I was sooo invested in this book. Even though it was almost 659 pages, it went by so fast. It’s been quite a while since I’ve read a book this engrossing. I stayed up so late reading it. 😂

This book is an urban fantasy, set partially in the “real world” and partially in dream world. The dream world was so fascinating. I loved how it constantly changed and morphed each time Calanthe visited. And the dream world spice? 😮‍💨 I LOVED Calanthe and Tarian! Their chemistry was everything! Most of their interactions were in dream world, yet they still managed to form an incredibly strong connection. 

There was also a little bit of a mystery element to the story? I was on my toes guessing who was involved in the kidnapping. 
adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

DNF 21% I didn't like the writing style and the story didn't really catch me
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

4.25🌟
I really enjoyed this! Loved all the dreams, it was a unique way to tell this story. Lots of action and great characters. Paranormal world with gods and fantastic spice!
dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes